Netflix has started filming the next chapter of its hit true-crime series Monster, and it is heading back in time for its first story about a female suspect. Just days after the successful debut of Monster: The Ed Gein Story, production has begun in Los Angeles on Season 4, which will focus on the infamous Lizzie Borden case. In a surprising twist, Charlie Hunnam is returning, but this time he is playing a victim instead of the killer.
The Story of Lizzie Borden
The new season will tell the story of Lizzie Borden, who was tried and acquitted for the 1892 ax murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. The case became a massive news story across the United States and continues to be a source of public fascination more than a century later. Though found not guilty, Borden lived the rest of her life ostracized by her community. The brutal nature of the crimes and the mystery of who committed them have inspired countless books, movies, and even a famous folk rhyme.
Meet the Cast of the New Season
The lead role of Lizzie Borden will be played by Ella Beatty, who previously worked with series creator Ryan Murphy on Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. Charlie Hunnam, who starred as the title character in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, is shifting roles to play Andrew Borden, Lizzie’s father and one of the two victims. The season features a strong supporting cast, including Rebecca Hall as Lizzie’s stepmother, Abby Borden, and Billie Lourd as Lizzie’s older sister, Emma Borden. Vicky Krieps will play the family’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, and Jessica Barden will appear as Nance O’Neill, a famous actress who was a close friend of Lizzie.
Charlie Hunnam’s Return in a New Role
Charlie Hunnam’s return to the Monster anthology is a significant one, marking his first major television role since his star-making turn in Sons of Anarchy. However, his character this season could not be more different. After portraying serial killer Ed Gein in Season 3, Hunnam will now play Andrew Borden, one of the victims at the center of the story. This continues a pattern for the anthology series, where each season is a standalone story with a new cast of characters. The director for the first episode will be Max Winkler, who also directed episodes of Monster: The Ed Gein Story.
The Monster Anthology’s Success
The Monster series, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, has been a major success for Netflix since its launch in 2022. The first season, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, broke streaming records and currently sits at number four on Netflix’s list of Most Popular Shows. The most recent season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, launched on October 3 and quickly broke into Netflix’s Top 10, garnering 12.2 million views globally in its first three days and reaching the number one spot in 11 countries. Each season has also been an awards contender, with the first two installments earning multiple Emmy nominations and wins.
What Fans Are Saying
The announcement of the new season and its cast has generated excitement online. On social media, one fan commented on the cast announcement, writing, > “The cast alone is insane….. can’t wait for this”. Another added, > “It’s good to see Charlie is still on board”. However, the show has also sparked discussion about its approach to true crime. Ahead of the Ed Gein season, Hunnam addressed the potential for sensationalism, telling The Hollywood Reporter, > “I never felt like we were sensationalizing it. I never felt on set that we did anything gratuitous or for shock impact. It was all in order to try to tell this story as honestly as we could”.
While an official release date for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story has not been announced, the previous three seasons have all been released in September or October, suggesting a potential Autumn 2026 debut on Netflix.
